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Paul R. Chapin

Paul Richard Chapin was born on February 18, 1930, one mile north of Hersey, WI, the 4th of 6 children born to Burdette and Dora “Dorothy” (Nelson) Chapin. He was baptized in the Methodist Church in Hersey, WI, confirmed as an adult at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls, WI. and married at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson, WI.

Paul was called to his eternal home on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at the Baldwin Care Center, Baldwin, Wisconsin, after back and bone pain, and enduring nearly 3 years of shingles pain (post herpetic neuralgia).

He attended three rural schools: Broadview in Springfield township north of Wilson, WI, Glass Valley in rural River Falls and the County Line School east of River Falls, WI. Paul’s parents moved to Milwaukee, where he attended his freshman school year. He did not like the big city, so he came back to the River Falls area and worked his way through the rest of his High School years. He graduated from River Falls High School in May of 1948 and attended UW-RF for one year. Paul married Phyllis J. Anding on September 16, 1950, and they made their home on several farms and places within St. Croix and Pierce counties in WI. He joined the National Guard and served for 8 years. He was Town Clerk in Rush River & Hammond townships for a number of years. He served on several Church committees, was Council president and Sunday School superintendent as well as serving in various farm organizations and committees while farming. He was a UW-RF farm foreman for 4 years and farmed on shares and on his own for another 16 years. Besides farming, his other work experiences included sales, fuel delivery, real estate and finally 12½ years at the St. Croix County Highway Department from which he retired in 1992. After retiring, he tried his hand at woodworking. He made horse related items, such as spring buggy seats, eveners, single/double trees, neck yokes and various shelves, candle holders and side tables. His love for draft horses remained throughout his life time. He loved helping friends who owned the “gentle giants”, until his health dictated otherwise.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 plus years, Phyllis; son, Rocklon (Barbara) Chapin of Blaine, MN; daughter, Cynthia Chapin of Hudson, WI; daughter, Deborah (Mark) Willink of Baldwin, WI; son, Peter (Brenda) Chapin of Roberts, WI; son, Richard Chapin of rural River Falls, WI. Brother, Robert Chapin of Barnes, WI; brother-in-law, Orvin Olson of Cameron, WI; Six grandchildren: David (Susie) Willink; Jonathan (Mary) Willink; Jennica Driscoll; Brian Chapin; Eric (Ellie) Chapin; Laura Chapin; Matthew Bonte (grandson at heart); and former daughter-in-law, Gloria (Dale) Bonte; as well as 11 great grandchildren and other dear relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Pearl Albertson and her husband Norman; brother, Donald Chapin and his wife Betty Jane; sister, Ruby Bestul and her husband, Lyal Bestul; sister, Geraldine Olson; sister-in-law, Yvonne Chapin Brown; nephew, Ronald Albertson; nephew-in-law, Rev. Gene Smith, nephew, Mark Olson, niece, Norma Karen Larson.